Level of Leisure Satisfaction among Persons with Spinal Cord Injury: A Quantitative Study

Abstract

Background: Leisure activities play an important role in supporting emotional well being, social interaction, and overall quality of life for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, leisure satisfaction is often overlooked during inpatient rehabilitation, particularly in rehabilitation settings within Bangladesh. Aim: This study aimed to identify the level of leisure satisfaction and the factors associated with it among individuals with SCI who were receiving inpatient rehabilitation services at the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP). Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 individuals with SCI selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through face-to face interviews using a structured questionnaire that included socio-demographic and injury-related information, along with the Leisure Satisfaction Measure (LSM). Leisure satisfaction was examined across six domains: psychological, educational, social, relaxation, physiological, and aesthetic. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Among the 120 participants, 85% (n=102) were male. About 37.5% (n=45) were aged between 31–49 years, and 67.5% (n=81) lived in rural areas. Injury related information shows that, 49.2% of participants had thoracic-level injuries, and 90.8% reported traumatic causes of injury. More than half of the participants (53.3%) were in the rehabilitation phase, and 92.5% used a wheelchair as their primary mobility device. In this study level of leisure satisfaction shows that, 68% (n=82) of participants have high leisure satisfaction, while 32% (n=38) have moderate levels of satisfaction. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in leisure satisfaction across phases of rehabilitation and according to participants preferred leisure activities (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Leisure satisfaction is a meaningful aspect of inpatient rehabilitation for persons with spinal cord injury, especially in supporting psychosocial well-being. Recognizing and integrating leisure as part of holistic rehabilitation may enhance recovery experiences and contribute to improved quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injury. Keywords: Spinal Cord Injury, Leisure Satisfaction, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapy, Quality of Life.